WAIMEA – While Hawaii Prep’s Emma Taylor and Kealakehe’s Nicole Cristobal left with state-best efforts, few athletes at the fourth Big Island Interscholastic Federation track and field meet of the season Saturday were as busy as Kamehameha’s Meagan Kualii.
Kualii competed in four events, but the long jump is where the Kamehameha senior excels. After achieving her personal-best of 17 feet, 6.5 inches earlier in the season at Keaau High, Kualii bested the field with 16-11.5 inches, despite competing in two events prior for the first time in her career.
“I was cramping in my jumping leg which usually happens if I am competing in multiple events. It is a problem I have had for a long time, but the jumps went well,” Kualii said. “It was different, but I am happy with it.”
Kualii won the long jump by more than a foot, beating out Waiakea’s Thelma Marshall, who jumped 15-10.5.
Before the long jump, Kualii competed in the 100-meter dash and the 100-meter. She finished fourth in the 100 with a time of 13.24. Hawaii Prep’s Emma Taylor took first in the 100 dash and the two-time HHSAA champion in the 100 hurdles put up a state-best time of 15.44 in winning the event.
Kualii placed third in her debut running the hurdles.
“I had never done hurdles in my life,” Kualii said. “I didn’t practice. I just threw myself out there because I wanted to try it.”
Taylor went on to claim three victories, after taking first in the 300-hurdles in a time of 47.06.
Kualii wrapped up her day with the 4×100 relay race. The team placed third in a time of 52.96, just behind Kealakehe (51.26) and Konawaena (52.71).
“I am proud of my team,” Kualii said. “We have three new girls from last year, all beginners, and we did really well.”
In the triple jump, Cristobal leaped past Hilo Mehana Sabado-Halpern by in inch with a state-best 35-11.
Throwing it
Waiakea’s Ridge Quitoriano won the shot put with a toss of 46-11.75. He beat out a pair of Hilo placers in Cody Raymond (44-0.5) and David Pakele (43-0). Quitoriano, a senior, also plays offensive and defensive line for the football team, but now is track season and he is hungry to get better.
“I am pleased with my throws but not yet satisfied,” Quitoriano said. “I have done well, and this is my second win, but I just want to be one of those boys in the state over 50.”
Quitoriano also competed in the discus, placing fourth overall with a throw of 123-04. He admits that he likes the shot put much more and says he is still trying to get his spin down in the discus.
“It’s kind of win or lose right now,” Quitoriano said. “It is either really bad or really good.”
Taking first in the discus was Kamehameha’s Brandyn Lee-Lehano. The junior dominated the field with a throw of 144-02. Hilo’s Pakele was a distant second with a throw of 132-09, followed by Waiakea’s Isaiah K-Aloha in third at 123-08.
Lee-Lehano, who also plays baseball, has three first place finishes and a second place finish in the discus this season. He is a designated hitter and pitcher for the Warriors and said that he likes the discus because it relates to baseball with the use of the hips and turning.
Lee-Lehano’s throw on Saturday was a personal-best, but he downplayed his achievement afterward.
“I felt my technique and throws were good today,” Lee-Lehano said. “The wind helped, but I feel I am making progress.”
